Dead Birds - Seagulls and Magpies

Observation: During this weekend, there were reports from our Executive Director, that while she was on her regular evening walk, she was spotting dead birds, mostly seagulls and magpies. She said most of which either had no head and looked as if no other animal has touched them. She kept her dog away from them as well, not knowing what the cause of death was. The community is concerned if whether or not there is a sickness in these birds causing them to die.

LEO says: The cause of the bird die-offs is currently being investigated by several agencies. A recent article by Alaska Public Media discussed the die-offs in the Homer area. The leading theory on a cause of mortality is food related. Leslie Slater the Gulf of Alaska Unit Biologist for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge says there are a lot of potential reasons for the increase in fatalities but the prevailing cause is likely tied to the birds’ food sources." To read more about the article click here.